Birdfeed

Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Chief Cultural Officer Gary Steuer and over 200 arts professionals, advocates and artists celebrated the launch of the Knight Arts Challenge Philadelphia on October 5, 2010 at a special reception at TRUST in Old City.

Building on the momentum of the arts in Philadelphia, the Knight Arts Challenge seeks out innovative projects to inspire and enrich Philadelphia’s communities. “The challenge opens a window of opportunity for everyone in the community,” said Dennis Scholl, Knight Foundation’s vice president/arts. “In each of the next three years, we will invite every artist, every arts institution, every business and every individual in Philadelphia to offer the best art ideas for this community.”

To encourage a wide range of applicants and ideas, the challenge has just three rules: The idea must be about art, must take place in or benefit Philadelphia, and winners must find funds (within a year) to match Knight Foundation’s grant.

Gary Steuer believes the challenge is an exciting opportunity for the city. “The challenge will help spur creative approaches to making art and connecting art to the greater community.” Ideas backed up by Mayor Nutter who said, “The Knight Arts Challenge is a great example of how public and private sector leaders can encourage Philadelphians to unleash their innovative and creative spirit. The resulting projects over the next three years will remake the way Philadelphians interact with and perceive the arts on a daily basis.”

The challenge, a project of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to fund the best ideas for the Philadelphia arts, will offer $9 million in funding over three years. Applications – open to anyone in the region – will be accepted through Oct. 31 at KnightArts.org.

For more on Knight Foundation’s arts initiative, visit KnightArts.org.
Philadelphians can also learn more and share ideas with the community on the Knight Arts Challenge Philadelphia Facebook page here.